Women's Swimming Ready for Tri-Meet with Dartmouth, Cornell

Nov 15, 2013

Courtney Otto and the Crimson look to bounce back after suffering its first Ivy League dual loss in two seasons last week. (Gil Talbot)

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The Harvard women's swimming and diving team is ready to head to Hanover, N.H., Saturday for a tri-meet with Ivy League foes Dartmouth and Cornell. The Crimson (0-1, 0-1 Ivy League) is scheduled to hit the lanes at noon in Karl Michael Pool.

About Harvard
The Crimson is coming off a close loss to Columbia a week ago to open the season. Despite the setback, Harvard swam quickly, breaking six pool records along the way. The Crimson claimed nine event wins, but the Lions pulled out a 163.5-136-5 victory.

Harvard got wins from the usual cast of characters, including Sara Li and Danielle Lee, but a few freshmen stepped up to the challenge as well. On the boards, newcomer Elina Leiviska grabbed the best score in both the 1- and 3-meter dives, while Victoria Chan took home first in the 50 free and Ashlee Korsberg grabbed the top spot in both the 500 and the 1650 freestyle races.

Strive for More
The women's swimming and diving team has become used to unparalleled success. Though Harvard dropped its first dual meet in two years last week, the Crimson still have more than ample opportunity to win its third consecutive Ivy Championship when Feb. 20 rolls around.

Last season, Harvard claimed second in the Ivy Championships, a year after taking home first in the postseason event.

About the Competition
Dartmouth is opening its season this weekend when it hosts the tri-meet with Harvard and Cornell. The Big Green is coming off a 4-4 record in 2012-13, a year which included a win in the Dartmouth Invitational and a fifth place finish at the Ivy League Championships.

Harvard is 34-3 all-time against Dartmouth, including a 196-99 route last season. The Crimson has taken 32 consecutive victories from the Big Green, having won every year since 1979.

Cornell is coming off a decisive, 148-125, victory over Boston College last week to open its season. The Big Red won every event and set two pool records in the win over the Eagles. Last season, Cornell finished 2-6, going 1-6 in conference duals.

Harvard has not lost to Cornell in the pool since 1983, reeling off 28 straight wins, including last year's 186-109 win in Ithaca.